San Antonio's cheapest source of water is conservation – water we don't use. For planning purposes, SAWS now includes water savings from conservation as a significant and separate "supply" to recognize its true contribution and value to our diverse portfolio of water supply projects.

Revisions to the city's drought ordinance will continue to build on our community's conservation success and water-wise ways to reach even greater savings. Residents will have more opportunities to achieve those results without compromising landscapes by participating in effective residential and commercial conservation programs.

Highlights of the 2014 Conservation Ordinance update include:

Slight changes to watering hours for Year-Round and Stage 1. Both now allow watering before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

Extending Stage 4 drought surcharges to include former Bexar Metropolitan Water District (District Special Project) customers. Current SAWS customers are already subject to the surcharge.

Adopted by the SAWS Board and City Council, the rule changes are effective May 29, 2014.